My Independence Day (or how I reached P3)

[NancyDrew]

Slowly and quietly over the past couple of months I have lost a few more pounds and today I weighed in at 115. Way back I had a goal of getting to 110 because for my height (5 ft. 1 in.) and where I store my fat (butt and thighs) it seemed to be the weight I looked and felt the best. I had gotten to 110 before during Hurricane Katrina where I think stress and uncertainty boosted my metabolism.
This time around is different because of the exercise. . .I look better at 115 now than I ever did at 110 then. At 110 I was scrawny and sullen where as at 115 I am lean and radiant. My old clothes fit great, I am able to buy new things in smaller sizes and DH is thrilled that I have kept my curves. I am going to continue to exercise and who knows we may see the last little bit come off but that is not the goal.
One reason that it is not the goal is because as most of you know DH and I are getting to the point where we would like to start a family. I had a real "a-ha" moment in my conversation with my dr's nurse the other day. She said if I wanted to get pregnant, I should start treating my body like I was pregnant and pregnant women don't really diet. I know we think of SB as a WOL and not a diet, but I tend to limit myself on things like grains and fruits to help battle the scale and those are things that my body will need going forward.
Putting it all together I am confident I can go forward and make some small changes while in P3 that will still be really helpful as I help my body get baby ready but also keep me from packing on the pounds while maintaining.
My goal is to add in more fruit and grains, in P2 I was only having a serving of each a day, but I am going to throw caution to the wind and have at least 2 fruits a day and at least 2 servings of grains a day.
I am also going to cut back on the amount of artificial sweeteners I use and limit myself to 1 serving of iced tea a day (right now I have one with breakfast and one at lunch) to start reducing my caffeine intake. I plan on replacing my morning iced tea with a glass of milk. Speaking of milk, I plan on getting in 3 servings of dairy each day and will probably look into using full fat dairy products going forward. I have stumbled across some preliminary research that full fat dairy products aid in fertility much more so than low fat dairy products do.
I know I will need to balance out any increase in calories from these changes to as not to see a huge increase in weight, which I will most likely do by doing lower-impact exercises for longer periods of time. I am also not opposed to gaining a few pounds to see if that aids my cycle in returning.
Whew. . .that was a novel, but putting it all down helped me realize what a journey SB has been for me over the past few years. I started in April 2005 weighing 140 (remember I am 5 ft. 1) and lost the 20-30 lbs I needed to lose in the first 6 months. Since then SB has been a way a life. . .helping me to lose the occasional 5-10 lbs I gained over the past few years. Every single one of you on this board has helped me get to where I am and I will depend on you to continue to support me as I enter this new phase of my journey. :wink

[paulag1955]

Congratulations on a job well done, Nancy.

[Stacy]

THAT was nice to read... thanks for posting!!! Very happy for you!

Stacy

[CheekyMo27]

It sounds like you are in a great place Keep moving forward!

[TLynn]

Yeah for you! You ARE in a great place! Hey...the way babies pop up around here, it should be no time at all.

[JustJudy]

Congratulations, Nancy. You have done the same as I did when I was getting close to goal. I was happy with how I looked and the size I was wearing. I'm still not as low as my doctor would like for my cholesterol but I'm content and feel great so we'll just have to see what he thinks when I have my next check-up in September.

SB and exercise for me has worked hand-in-hand and I'll be a gym rat until they find me dead on the aerobic floor!

[daisyjo37]

Way to go, Nancy! I LOVE your attitude! You're definitely an inspiration, and I look forward to seeing you and DH start this next phase of your life!!

[C-Glass]

After not logging on for 2 days, I think, that has to be one of the nicest and well written posts I have read. You are thinking clearly, not only about yourself but also about your expanding family. I say HOORAY for you. That is a job well done and one in which I am sure you will continue to do.

I'm very PROUD of you. Makes me happy to *know* you.